since the 25th anniversary of the release of the dirty mind album is coming up this october, occasionally i will be dropping little tidbits about the album/era and all that it entailed....starting with tonight.



on this date back in 1981, prince played at the ritz in new york city. this is one of the three dm-era concerts that are in circulation, as well as one of the two that were taped--also, this is the very first bootlegg video that started up my prince video collection. very fun show to watch too--i'm surprised that i hadn't worn it out in all the 5 years that i had it (i've since passed the tape on to another deserving fan, since i have the paris & new york shows on dvd now) because when i first got it i'd watch it every single day.

at any rate, testify if you've either heard this show or if you actually attended this show back in '81. i'd love to hear from ya'll!

I heard of the show from reading up on in Turn It Up and I thing it was in the DanceMusicSexRomance book too. It makes me wish I was way older to see what it was like then, (I was a few days from turning 2 in NYC, my hometown, this day in 1981). I wish I could see the show myself cause it sounded like he was just crazy on the funk at that time.

What a coincidence that you start a thread about this. I was just jamming to this very performance a couple of hours ago and had noticed then that it was the 24th anniversary of the show. I then started thinking about how great a time it was back then because he wasn't even really scratching the surface yet of his musical and performing prowess. How much more great music and performances were in store for the public. It then, sadly, reminded me of just how much more exciting his shows used to be, even back then with pretty limited material, compared to now. I mean, he actually utilized choreography in his shows that included the band. Getting Rhonda to do ANY type of step these days would seem like a chore. LOL! I know the dude's almost 47, but I'm sure he can still get away with moving like at this show in his current concerts. And this was a VERY no-frills, "concentrate on the music/real music by real musicians", basic show, just like what he likes to trumpet these days. Just seems like with his current shows, you could close your eyes and not really miss the show, minus his facial expressions at times. You're really going for the music. But back then, you'd miss something special if you closed your eyes. Both your eyes AND your ears got a treat, as there was something exciting to see ALONG with the great music! I'm a guy, so females might feel otherwise.

Is it me or am I the only one who thinks that music just doesn't excite or motivate him like it used to? You could see the passion he had for it on stage, but he doesn't exhibit that same intensity today, despite what he claims. And let's not put it on his age and say, "Just how much longer did you expect him to do the splits?!" cuz that ain't what I'm talking about. As I said earlier, he could still do the same choreography he used in this Ritz '81 show in his current shows. He didn't do anything that required a chiropractor (sp??) and youth. He basically just let the high energy of his music move his body. Hell, I don't even remember him doing not one split at this show.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but I've been going through a lot of his earlier shows lately, and I'm being reminded just how boring (boring for him, of course) his shows and music are today compared to "back in the day". I want the high energy, dammit!!!!! Maybe he needs to start concentrating on some new shit (as long as it's funky; and that's the big quesiotn...can he "bring it" like he used to?) and not be bored with playing the same old tunes year after year after year.

damn he was young and fine!

The New York and Paris shows are highlights of the City Lights boxset. Superb! I have the DVD of the shows but haven't watched it yet(what's my damage?).

squirrelgrease said:

go and watch them shits. NOW, dammit!

I just converted all my bootleg Prince/Time shows on DVD a month ago. That Dirty Mind Ritz show is a classic.

New York/Paris 81 dvd kicks ass
so funky.

squirrelgrease said:

What? Whaaaat! This is on dvd now. Aww hell, I've been out of the boot loop much too long. All I have is the vhs tape, and picture is not that great.

In any event great show(s).


Ya' know Dansa you're free to post that shirtless picture from this tour, you won't offend me. It has the Hohner in it too.

FunkMistress said:

which reminds me...do you have a vcr yet, woman?

taps foot

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

FunkMistress said:

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Okay, I'm about to respond to this craigslist posting and shell out thirty bucks (travesty!)...cross those pretty tattooed fingers...

Ifsixwuz9 said:

yeah, it's been out on dvd for a while now.


which shirtless pic? that's basically like saying "post a pic of 'im from the pr tour, the one where's he's wearin purple!"

FunkMistress said:

crosses fingers

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Weeelll... any of them will do. But there is that one where he's actually playing the guitar and it almost looks as if he's playing in the nude. Then there's the one where the guitar is sort of slung at his side at he's holding the mic with one hand and the neck of the Hohner with the other.

ooh, almost forgot to mention: the performance of "head" in this joint is worth the admission alone.

I have this show on VHS and the quality is average to below average. I need to update to DVD. This was the time I really embraced Prince as the SHIT of the music world. I just found out there's a copy of the first show I went to. City lights Providence 83. But, the dude deosn't have it. I'm pained.

I just had to post some pix in honor of this thread!!

Neither attended or watched the show ...the 80's are a blur to me...long story. BUT I love learning about this kinda thing and making efforts to find and or hear...so thank you!

Man, I have never seen these shows or heard them mostly cause I don't have any boots mostly cause I would never know where to find these and I probably couldn't afford to pay for them.

Ifsixwuz9 said:

[uh-uh-uh!--Dansa]

squirrelgrease said:

Are you teasing me. That's not very nice.

Oh wait, I think you posted something you shouldn't have.


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[Edited 3/23/05 6:53am]